Marc Gasol Wins 2013 NBA Defensive Player of the Year

The Memphis Grizzlies are regarded as the best defensive team in the NBA. For that reason, it makes sense that Marc Gasol has won the 2013 NBA Defensive Player of the Year award. Gasol is the man in the middle for the Grizzlies and averaged 7.8 rebounds, 1.7 blocks and one steal per game.

My only issue with the choice is that Gasol might not even be the best defender on his own team. Tony Allen is the Grizzlies lockdown perimeter defender — and he’s arguably an even better defender than Gasol. But since bigmen get more credit for defense than swingmen, it’s not a surprise that Gasol got the nod.

By winning the 2013 NBA DPOY, the younger brother of Pau Gasol becomes the first European to win the award. In the preseason, he was considered a longshot candidate at best.

Unfortunately for Gasol, he may have a lot more time to polish his trophy soon unless Memphis can turn around their series against the Los Angeles Clippers. The Grizzlies have lost the first two games of the series. Game 3 is on Thursday.